Bluesky has launched its verification system, allowing users who meet certain criteria to request a verified badge through an online form. According to an announcement from the company’s official Safety account, the platform is now accepting applications from “notable and authentic” accounts seeking verification.
Additionally, Bluesky introduced the concept of “Trusted Verifiers,” a feature that allows select organizations to independently verify other users. This program was first trialed with select partners last month, including prominent publishers such as The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic.
For some users, however, the introduction of traditional verification badges brings unpleasant reminders of Twitter’s controversial past. On Twitter (now known as X), verification initially signified credibility and prominence but eventually evolved into a paid perk under Elon Musk’s ownership, creating a perceived hierarchy among users.
Unlike Twitter’s centralized approach, Bluesky offers alternative verification methods. One popular method enables users to self-verify by associating their username with their own internet domain, similar to NPR’s “@npr.org” handle. To date, more than 270,000 Bluesky accounts have already embraced domain-based verification.
Nonetheless, the specifics of exactly how Bluesky will assess user applications for badges remain unclear. The platform states basic eligibility requirements: accounts must be active, have complete profile information (including bio and profile photo), and demonstrate authenticity by representing a real individual, business, or organization. Applicants must also provide links to affiliated official websites when applicable. The company stresses that overall context, public interest, and evidence of professional recognition or media presence will factor into its decisions. Still, the exact guidelines about what constitutes “notability” within a field or geographical region have yet to be made public.
Bluesky indicated that it will only respond directly to users whose applications are accepted, implying a manual review process to ensure notable individuals and public figures do not go unacknowledged.
The addition of verification badges could potentially impact the unique culture Bluesky has been cultivating. The platform, which initially distinguished itself from competitors like Twitter/X and Threads by avoiding a hierarchical user designation, now faces questions about whether the new verification rules could unintentionally introduce similar dynamics. Some observers suggested the feature might have been better received if Bluesky had first widened its network of independent Trusted Verifiers. A greater emphasis on community-driven verification could have underscored the platform’s commitment to decentralization.
Some decentralized alternatives, such as Deer.Social—a platform forked from Bluesky—allow any user to assign their trust to chosen verifiers, highlighting a more democratized model for online credibility that doesn’t depend on a centralized authority. Those who prefer such decentralized approaches now have another viable alternative within the Bluesky ecosystem.
Bluesky has yet to respond publicly for additional comments or clarification about its verification initiative.
